Widespread xanthomas regression by personalized lipid lowering therapy in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

"The lower, the better" is the recommended approach in the management of high LDL cholesterol. Unfortunately, this does not always achieve as in the case of a 69-year-old woman referred to our Institute for her lipid profile (LDL cholesterol 412mg/dl), bilateral xanthelasma and cutaneous xanthomas. With a maximized and personalized lipid-lowering therapies (rosuvastatin, ezetimibe, PCSK9i and lipoprotein apheresis), after only six months, the patient showed an impressive regression in her cutaneous xanthomas.

[Diagnosis and treatment of benign eyelid tumors]

BACKGROUND

Benign tumors of the eyelids are frequent entities. They are often cause for cosmetic concern or can lead to irritation of the ocular surface. The differentiation from premalignant or malignant eyelid tumors is particularly important. In most cases this can be done clinically; however, in some cases histological evaluation is warranted.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to characterize the most important benign tumors of the eyelid and to ascertain when a histological examination is necessary. Furthermore, fundamental treatment procedures are discussed.

METHODS

This narrative review was prepared based on a selective literature search. The characteristics of some eyelid tumors are underlined with illustrations from clinical cases.

RESULTS

Most benign eyelid tumors are treated because of cosmetic or functional concerns. Some of them, including actinic keratosis, keratoacanthoma, cutaneous horn, trichofolliculoma, resemble malignant lid tumors or precancerous lesions and are thus excised in oder to obtain a diagnosis. Dermoid cysts can cause complications and congenital melanocytic naevi can exhibit malignant transformation and may need treatment. Inflammatory tumors can be treated conservatively in most cases but might require surgery in certain cases. Systemic associations exist with some of the benign lid tumors and should not be overlooked as they can be crucial for overall patient morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Benign tumors of the eyelids are frequent and can be found at any age depending on the diagnosis. This article describes the lesions most commonly encountered in the clinical routine and helps at making a plan for further management.

Esophageal xanthoma with nearby coexistent squamous cell carcinoma observed using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging

We report the case of a 63-year-old man who underwent annual surveillance esophagogastroduodenoscopy, during which a small squamous cell carcinoma and a tiny yellowish granular lesion were found in the middle esophagus, slightly apart from each other. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging of the yellowish granular lesion showed yellowish spots and blots scattered within an approximately 2-mm area. The larger spots appeared nodular and were overlaid with tortuous microvessels. Subsequently, both the lesions were excised en masse via endoscopic submucosal dissection, and the yellowish lesion was determined to be xanthoma. Histologically, an aggregated nest of foam cells surrounded by intrapapillary capillary vessels filled the intraepithelial papillae; the foam cells also extended inferiorly, below the rete ridges, and were sparsely distributed through the lamina propria mucosae. To our knowledge, the latter finding is the first to be described in literature, which leads us to postulate that the number of foam cells in the lamina propria mucosae may affect how thick and yellow a xanthoma appears on endoscopy. We believe that this case that presents a highly detailed comparison between endoscopic and histologic findings improves our understanding of the endoscopic appearance of esophageal xanthomas and may facilitate a precise diagnosis of this rare disease.

Granulomatous reaction to migrating silicone oil clinically mimicking a xanthelasma: A case report

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Distant silicone oil migration may occur following retina surgery.

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Silicone oil in periocular tissue results in granulomatous reaction.

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It may resemble a periocular xanthelasma-like skin lesion.

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Tissue diagnosis is essential for confirmation in such cases.

Introduction

Silicone oil has been used for many years in retinal surgeries for retinal detachment. One of its reported complications is oil migration to the periorbital area, resulting in granulomatous reaction.

Presentation of case

A 56-year-old lady, with history of retinal detachment that was repaired by vitrectomy, silicone oil removal and epi-retinal membrane peeling, presented to us with unilateral ptosis and a skin lesion that resembled xanthelasma.

Discussion

Histopathology of this lesion showed silicone oil infiltrating the surrounding connective tissue and fat with absence of foamy histiocytes.

Conclusion

We are reporting a case of silicone oil migration with pseudo-xanthelasma lesion. This has been reported only twice to the best of our knowledge in the English-written literature.

The Significance of Extracellular Cholesterol Crystals or a Cholesterol Granuloma in Xanthelasma

Background/Aims

Xanthelasma is an unreliable indicator of systemic hyperlipidemia. A review in search of unusual histopathologic features of cellular composition that might correlate with systemic hyperlipidemia was conducted.

Methods

An observational case series of 3 cases was performed. Slides were stained and analyzed with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff as well as for iron. Three lesions displayed an atypical morphologic finding and were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for CD3, CD20, CD68, CD163, S100, and adipophilin.

Results

The three lesions comprised in this study had classical xanthoma cells with densely packed fine vacuoles. The xanthoma cells were CD68, CD163, and adipophilin positive and S100 negative. In case 1, extracellular, nonpolarizing cholesterol crystalloids displayed totally negative staining for all biomarkers. In cases 2 and 3, the cholesterol granulomas were surrounded and permeated by CD68- or CD163-positive epithelioid and giant cells and by CD3-positive T lymphocytes. The 3 cases each harbored squamous cysts.

Conclusion

In case 1, the uninflamed extracellular cholesterol crystalloids were associated with severely dysregulated systemic hyperlipidemia. In cases 2 and 3, the cholesterol granulomas were interpreted as a local manifestation of a cyst that might have partially ruptured and did not portend serious hyperlipidemia.

Orbital, eyelid, and nasopharyngeal silicone oil granuloma presenting as ptosis & pseudo-xanthelasma

PURPOSE

To highlight the presentation and management of a patient with eyelid, orbital and nasopharyngeal silicone oil migration through a glaucoma drainage implant presenting as pseudo-xanthelasma and ptosis.

OBSERVATIONS

A 68-year male presented with unilateral ptosis and presumed xanthelasma. He had a history of glaucoma drainage implant surgery, pseudophakia, and multiple retinal detachment repairs with silicone oil. During ptosis repair it was discovered that his presumed xanthelasma was in fact an eyelid silicone granuloma. Additional work up revealed silicone infiltration of the eyelids, orbits, and nasopharynx, resulting from emulsified silicone oil leakage through his glaucoma valve implant.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

Silicone oil may emulsify with time, with potential egress via a glaucoma filtration device. Clinicians should be alert for eyelid, orbital and sinonasal findings that may indicate occult migration.

Sporadic Minute Pharyngeal Xanthomas Detected Incidentally During Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A Case Series

Pharyngeal xanthomas are considered rare, and no reports have described their endoscopic appearance under magnifying or image-enhanced endoscopy. We report three cases of asymptomatic sporadic pharyngeal xanthoma that were detected incidentally during routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy. All the patients were men and had a solitary lesion of about 1 mm in size. Two of the lesions were located in the oropharynx, while one was in the hypopharynx. Non-magnifying endoscopy showed yellowish lesions, and magnifying endoscopy showed an aggregation of minute yellowish nodules with tortuous microvessels on their surface. Histopathological examination revealed foam cells filling the intraepithelial papillae. The foam cells were strongly immunopositive for cluster of differentiation (CD) 68. Immunohistochemical staining for CD34 showed intrapapillary capillaries around the foam cells. This characteristic magnifying endoscopic appearance corresponded to the histopathological findings of pharyngeal xanthomas. The present cases reveal the relationship between the endoscopic appearance and histopathological findings of pharyngeal xanthomas.

Is Gastric Xanthelasma an Alarming Endoscopic Marker for Advanced Atrophic Gastritis and Intestinal Metaplasia?

BACKGROUND/AIM

The clinical significance of gastric xanthelasmas is unknown. We conducted a case-control study in order to evaluate whether gastric xanthelasma is an indicator of advanced atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The study was conducted among 1400 patients who underwent elective upper endoscopy. Patients with gastric xanthelasma and atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia constituted the study group (n = 55). The control group involved patients with only atrophic gastritis and/or intestinal metaplasia (n = 50). Histopathologic findings of the groups including the distribution of atrophic gastritis and/or intestinal metaplasia, operative link on gastritis assessment score, operative link on gastritis intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) score, and presence of dysplasia and malignancy were compared. Subgroup analysis was performed in order to establish the relation between the characteristics (size, number, and localization) of xanthelasmas, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia.

RESULTS

Multifocal atrophic gastritis was significantly more common in patients with a gastric xanthelasma (41.8 vs. 26.0 %, p = 0.03). Patients with multiple xanthelasmas had a significantly higher rate of intestinal metaplasia (p = 0.02) and a higher OLGIM score (p = 0.02) compared to those with a single xanthelasma. Dysplasia was detected in 8 (14.5 %) patients with a xanthelasma and 4 (8.0 %) patients without a xanthelasma (p = 0.2).

CONCLUSION

Gastric xanthelasma(s) is a warning endoscopic sign for the presence of multifocal atrophic gastritis and advanced intestinal metaplasia.

Xanthelasma palpebrarum associated with increased cardio-ankle vascular index in asymptomatic subjects

BACKGROUND

Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction independent of other well-known cardiovascular risk factors. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel index of arterial stiffness and important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between XP and CAVI in asymptomatic subjects.

METHODS

Consecutive 50 subjects with XP and age-gender matched 50 control subjects were enrolled. Patients with known atherosclerotic vascular disease were excluded. Arterial stiffness was assessed by CAVI and defined as abnormal if CAVI is ≥ 8.

RESULTS

Subjects with XP had higher mean CAVI than control subjects (8.05 ± 1.72 vs. 6.76 ± 1.18, p < 0.001). Frequency of abnormal CAVI was higher in subjects with XP (n = 27) compared to those without XP (n = 9, 54 vs. 18 %, p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between XP and CAVI (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that XP (odds ratio OR 8.80, 95 % confidence interval CI 2.63-29.49, p < 0.001) and age (OR 1.17, 95 % CI 1.08-1.26, p < 0.001) were independent predictors for abnormal CAVI.

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that XP is associated with increased arterial stiffness in asymptomatic subjects.

Argon laser versus erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum

Background

Xanthelasma palpebrarum is the most common of the xanthomas with asymptomatic, symmetrical, bilateral, soft, yellow, polygonal papules around the eyelids. Though it is a benign lesion causing no functional disturbance, it is esthetically annoying. The surgical laser offers an extremely elegant and powerful solution to this problem.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of erbium:YAG and argon lasers in the treatment of xanthelasma lesions.

Patients and methods

Forty patients were included in the study. Twenty patients (15 patients were bilateral with 30 eyes either in the upper or lower lid and 5 patients were unilateral) were treated with erbium:YAG laser. Another 20 patients (10 patients were bilateral with 20 eyes and 10 patients were unilateral) were treated with argon laser.

Results

In the majority of treated patients (either treated with erbium:YAG or argon laser), xanthelasma lesions were completely disappeared or significantly decreased in size. Two patients showed pigmentary changes in the form of hypopigmentation with erbium:YAG laser (one case), another case showed hyperpigmentation. No intraoperative complication was observed. No significant scar or recurrence was observed.

Conclusion

Argon laser in xanthelasma is an easy, effective, and safe method of treatment for small lesions and YAG laser is more better for large lesions than argon laser.

Preliminary studies on serum lipids, apolipoprotein-B and oxidative stress in xanthelasma

Serum lipid profile, apolipoprotein-B (apo-B), malondialdehyde levels(MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assessed in 12 cases of xanthelasma with and without coronary artery disease (CAD)/hypertension (HTN) and results are compared with healthy controls. Dyslipidemia was found in 65% cases of xanthelasma as compared to 20% healthy controls. Xanthelasma patients had significantly high malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p<0.01) and significantly decreased (p<0.05) SOD activity as compared to controls. Among xanthelasma patients, xanthelasma with CAD/HTN showed higher total cholesterol (236±32.7 vs 188±24.7 mg/dl), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (157±35.5 vs 113±16 mg/dl) and Apo-B (120.5±9.4 vs 114±19.2 mg/dl) levels as compared to xanthelasma without CAD/HTN. Results of our study indicate that xanthelasma patients with increased apo-B, MDA and decreased SOD need cardiovascular monitoring.